Medieval agricultural features were identified during an evaluation at Church Lane, Seasalter in 2023. Seven linear features (>1m to >3m in length, 0.7-1.9m in width, and >0.15 to 0.64m in depth), eight pits (1.1m to 5m in length, >0.84m to 1.95m in width, 0.14m to 4m in depth), two middens (1.23m to >2.14m in length, 1.09m to 1.7m in width, and 0.11m to 0.12m in depth), and a possible clay extraction pit (>10m in length, >1.80m in width, and 0.8m in depth) were identified during the excavation.

"The earliest date from this phase of activity on site is 1140/1175 AD. This date coincides with the construction of The Old St Alphege Church 500m North, in the Village of Seasalter. It is likely that the archaeology seen in the PDA forms part of the peripheral agrarian landscape associated with the Medieval settlement of Seasalter village, similar to agrarian features from the Medieval period found at the nearby sites at Ladysmith Grove, also at the periphery of the settlement" (from the original report, 1).

Three of the linear features are considered by the report authors to relate to agrarian land division as they are aligned parallel to one another.

Both of the middens are thought to have been used for the processing of small quantity of shellfish, with one containing a possible large charred legume fragment. Both middens are likely to have been the result of small scale activity, such as a single meal. Environmental sampling of one of the pits identified the presence of broad/Celtic beans, and charcoal. Finds recovered from the site include 16 bags of shell, predominantly oyster shell, with a smaller quantity of clam shell, alongside a pottery assemblage dating to 1150 to 1300 AD, and medieval ceramic building material and daub. Small finds included an undated probable horseshoe nail, a fragment of flagstone, and a copper alloy metal strip. One of the linear features contained a piece of leather strap end or belt which is unusual to survive from the medieval period. The find may therefore represent a possible residual artefact from the post-medieval period, or may be a medieval artefact which has been well-preserved due to waterlogged conditions at the site.

Some of the features were filled with a red silty clay blackfill containing fragments of burnt flint. This is considered by the authors of the report to be indicative of industrial activity taking place at the site. (1)

<1> Swale & Thames Archaeological Survey Company, 2024, Archaeological Evaluation of Land at Church Lane, Seasalter, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 4BU (Unpublished document). SKE56424.